Human trafficking in Italy: latest report by OSCE
The Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, in a report published on 14 July 2014, praised the Italian Government for the steps it has taken to eliminate modern-day slavery following a two part country visit in June and July of 2013.
Since that time, the Government has transposed EU Directive 2011/36/EU into its national legislative framework in order to implement key measures including the improvement of victim protection and assistance. Italian officials have also pledged to start work on a National Action Plan against trafficking in human beings that will include the establishment of a national referral mechanism for victims, as recommended by the Office.
The Italian Parliament in April 2014 approved a new law decriminalizing the conduct of irregular entry and stay on its territory, a measure that former Special Representative Maria Grazia Giammarinaro recommended last year.
Italy is a destination, transit, and source country for women, children, and men who are subjected to sex trafficking, forced labour and other forms of exploitation. Victims come from many countries, though migration from the southern rim of the Mediterranean region is a major and long-standing phenomenon.
The Office of the Special Representative today issued the official Country Visit Report for the visit. Full text of the report see here.